TO THE EDITOR:
In response to Mr. Hanft’s letter (“Guns and alcohol make for a lethal combination,” Apr. 1), no one is arguing guns mix with alcohol. In fact, in North Carolina it is illegal to carry a gun while there is alcohol or any controlled substance in your blood. In addition, it is currently illegal to carry a gun in an establishment serving alcohol, regardless of whether the person is drinking. So you can feel “safe” knowing no one in a bar is carrying.
If you are seriously concerned with people being allowed to carry a concealed weapon, I would advise not ever leaving campus. As soon as you step onto Franklin Street, or anywhere else off campus, concealed carry is legal. I do not think my rights should be limited simply because I step off of Franklin and onto campus.
If your argument that there would be “dozens of drunken gun-related casualties” were true, why do we not see this across the country now, with concealed carry being permitted? Why has this not happened at campuses that allow concealed carry? We should extend the rights guaranteed to Americans who want to defend themselves by allowing them to walk on campus with their gun, not forcing guns to be commonplace. You are certainly free to not carry, but I should be free to do so.
Grant Anastas-King
Co-president
Tar Heel Rifle and Pistol Club
